It's wrong, I did it, but don't feel guilty: Understanding students' beliefs, behaviours, and emotions related to academic dishonesty

Abstract

Most students cheat, many believe that it is wrong, but very few feel guilty for doing so. In this address, we explore students' engagement in academic dishonesty (the different types of dishonesty and their frequencies) and the reasons why so many do it despite believing its wrong. In exploring the latter, we will focus on both psychological and sociocultural factors that help us understand the gap between students' moral judgment and moral action. Such an understanding is needed to develop "wise interventions" aimed at fostering academic integrity.